Energy,Economy,Industry Updates

Rivian Inks Wind Energy Deal with Apex Clean Energy to Power Illinois Manufacturing

rivian-inks-wind-energy
Rivian and Apex Clean Energy today announced the signing of a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the renewable energy company’s proposed Goose Creek Wind farm in Piatt County, Illinois. As Rivian’s first large-scale procurement, the agreement supports the company’s long-term vision of enabling high-impact renewable energy projects that reduce its carbon footprint while also benefiting customers, communities, and the electrical grid.

This purchase, along with other renewable sourcing and on-site generation, will allow Rivian to power as much as 75% of its Normal, Illinois, plant operations with carbon-free energy on an hourly basis. The PPA will also contribute to the company’s commitment to power its Rivian Adventure Network and Waypoints charging with 100% renewable energy. Importantly, this is Rivian’s first major renewable energy purchase and a critical investment in Illinois—supporting homegrown jobs, economic development, tax revenues, and clean energy in the Prairie State.

“About a third of global greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation, with nearly another third from electricity generation. We have a tremendous opportunity at Rivian to help tackle emissions beyond the tailpipe to support decarbonization of manufacturing and charging of electric vehicles, Long-term success for us means helping to accelerate the transition to carbon-free energy across the entire economy, not just within Rivian’s own footprint.”

Andrew Peterman, Rivian Director of Renewable Energy.

Rivian’s renewable energy strategy combines climate impact, community, and local ecological considerations. Working with The Nature Conservancy and its Site Renewables Right initiative, Rivian aims to support grid decarbonization while also promoting renewable developments that enhance the land, protect critical biodiversity, and improve local economies.

“With Goose Creek Wind, Rivian is modeling an innovative approach to clean energy procurement—one that emphasizes maximum benefit to the local community, economy, and environment,” said Mark Goodwin, President and CEO of Apex. “Apex continues to expand opportunities for corporations committed to strengthening local project areas, reducing carbon impact, and restoring natural habitat—all priorities for Rivian as it continues to build out its vision for the future.”

Within an hour's drive of Rivian’s flagship Normal facility, Goose Creek Wind will put more carbon-free energy on the Central Illinois grid by tapping the region’s largest and most sustainable resource—the wind. Rivian promotes and relies on the growth of clean energy in Illinois, contributing to statewide efforts to increase the proportion of renewables from 11%—compared to the national average of 20%—and reduce marginal emissions of a carbon intensive grid.

Rivian has signed the Climate Pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement.

Apex is currently in the process of securing local permits and approvals for the 300 MW Goose Creek Project to be built and as a stipulation of the PPA. The project is slated to begin operations in 2024.

About Rivian
Rivian exists to create products and services that help our planet transition to carbon neutral energy and transportation. Rivian designs, develops, and manufactures category-defining electric vehicles and accessories and sells them directly to customers in the consumer and commercial markets. Rivian complements its vehicles with a full suite of proprietary, value-added services that address the entire lifecycle of the vehicle and deepen its customer relationships. 

About Apex
Apex Clean Energy was founded with a singular focus: to accelerate the shift to clean energy. Through origination, construction, and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage facilities, distributed energy resources, and green fuel technologies, Apex is expanding the renewable frontier across North America. Our mission-driven team of over 400 professionals uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking customers.

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Solar+Storage, Energy

Mitsubishi Power Marks Successful Validation, Installation and Operation of Large-Scale Electrolyzers

Business Wire | September 29, 2023

Underscoring its commitment to advancing hydrogen technology in the energy industry, Mitsubishi Power has successfully completed the permanent installation of its large-scale electrolyzer at the company’s state-of-the-art Takasago Hydrogen Park in Japan. The unit now operates at full load and in real-world conditions as the long-term validation begins. The large-scale 5.5 MW single stack pressurized alkaline electrolyzer is being validated in two stages. First, a single unit was installed and tested at the Herøya Industrial Park in Norway; extensive operational parameters were tested and the short-term validation culminated in a 96-hour baseload run of safe and reliable operation. From there the technology is now undergoing long-term validation at a permanent installation in the Takasago Hydrogen Park. Takasago Hydrogen Park is the world’s first center dedicated to the validation of hydrogen-related technologies. It is designed for the long-term operation of these electrolyzers at one location and under the same conditions as they would operate commercially. Full-scale validation of a technology is a method championed by Mitsubishi Power for more than 30 years and aims to minimize technology risk for customers. The objectives include performance, operations, start-ups, shutdowns, gas quality, safety, and digital control integration. While this disciplined validation process extends the overall product development schedule, Mitsubishi Power’s philosophy is to invest time to achieve high reliability which translates to fewer troubleshooting issues once the product is commercial, and it helps reduce unplanned downtime for the owner - saving costs, minimizing forced outages, and increasing unit availability. This electrolyzer design will be used in the production of green hydrogen at North America’s largest hydrogen energy project under construction, the Advanced Clean Energy Storage (ACES Delta) project in Delta, Utah, a joint venture between Chevron and Mitsubishi Power Americas, with equipment arriving on-site starting in fall 2023. ACES Delta is a utility-scale energy project that will produce, store, and deliver green hydrogen. Scheduled to begin operations in 2025, the ACES Delta project will use renewable energy-powered electrolyzers to split water into oxygen and hydrogen. The green hydrogen produced using electrolysis will be stored in two massive salt caverns, each the size of the Empire State Building, and each capable of storing 150-gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy for dispatch back to the grid when it is needed. Kent Rockaway, Vice President, Hydrogen Production, Mitsubishi Power Americas, said These validation units are significant milestones for our electrolyzer technology and a testament to how we approach the development of our products for our customers. The electrolyzers will soon arrive at the ACES Delta project, a benchmark project that will help decarbonize the western U.S., and we are excited to watch its progress. [Source – Business Wire] Additional Press Releases Mitsubishi Power Signs Purchase Contract with HydrogenPro for Large Scale Electrolyzer System US DOE Closes $504.4 Million Loan to Advanced Clean Energy Storage Project for Hydrogen Production and Storage Takasago Hydrogen Park, the World's First Integrated Validation Facility for Technologies from Hydrogen Production to Power Generation, Enters Full-Scale Operation -- Electrolysis Hydrogen Production Begins About Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc. Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc. (Mitsubishi Power) headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida, employs more than 2,700 power generation, energy storage, and digital solutions experts and professionals. Our employees are focused on empowering customers to affordably and reliably combat climate change while also advancing human prosperity throughout North, Central, and South America. Mitsubishi Power’s power generation solutions include gas, steam, and aero-derivative turbines; power trains and power islands; geothermal systems; PV solar project development; environmental controls; and services. Energy storage solutions include green hydrogen, battery energy storage systems, and services. Mitsubishi Power also offers intelligent solutions that use artificial intelligence to enable autonomous operation of power plants. Mitsubishi Power is a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI). Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, MHI is one of the world’s leading heavy machinery manufacturers with engineering and manufacturing businesses spanning energy, infrastructure, transport, aerospace, and defense

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Solar+Storage

Sol-Ark Selects Enteligent’s Platform Revolutionizing Solar Solutions

Sol-Ark | September 13, 2023

On September 12, 2023, Sol-Ark, a leading solar and energy storage technology company, announced that it selected Enteligent's NMax Rapid Shutdown with Optimization platform for its line of direct-current (DC) module-level power electronics (MLPE) product line. Sol-Ark's 0900-80V, powered by Enteligent, offers exceptional utility for photovoltaic (PV) solar adapters. The company recognized the market potential of 0900–80V as more than just a rapid shutdown device (RSD) and designed it to go beyond this role. By integrating the essential safety features of an RSD with additional energy optimization and data monitoring capabilities, this device provides a comprehensive solution to meet the core needs of Sol-Ark's customers. The power optimization feature of the Sol-Ark 900-80V, powered by Enteligent, operates only when necessary, thus resulting in maximum energy efficiency, reduced internal heat generation, and increased device lifespan. When factors such as shading, snow loads, varying angles of incidence, or other conditions affect the output of PV modules, the embedded microprocessor adjusts the current output of each PV module to optimize Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) both individually and across the entire string. According to Sol-Ark's testing, the Enteligent-powered 0900-80V module delivers between 25% and 38% more power under shaded conditions than rival RSD products. The panel-level data is transmitted using powerline communications (PLC), simplifying installation without the need for a wireless network or additional wiring. This data can be accessed through Sol-Ark's PV Pro monitoring platform or a Windows application on a connected PC, enabling installers to verify installation integrity, assisting service personnel in troubleshooting performance issues, and allowing homeowners to monitor the performance of their solar investment. Tom Brennan, the CEO and CTO of Sol-Ark, commented, Initially, I was skeptical that panel-level optimization would provide any appreciable benefit over the string-level MPPT of the inverter and the PV module diodes, but once we tested Enteligent’s technology, we knew this product would be a game-changer. The increased power optimization, the addition of panel-level monitoring, and the unique longevity of this device will provide exceptional benefits for our customers. [Source: Business Wire] About Sol-Ark Sol-Ark is a leading energy technology company committed to reducing society's dependence on the vulnerable power grid by introducing innovative and sustainable technology solutions. Over the course of more than a decade, Sol-Ark has earned the trust of industry leaders, including Fortune 50 companies in telecommunications, retail, prominent technology firms, and even the world's largest space agency. The company's extensive ecosystem comprises numerous distributors, installers, EPCs (engineering, procurement, and construction companies), integrators, and battery manufacturers, forming a formidable network that is reshaping energy resilience for both residential and commercial purposes. About Enteligent Enteligent, headquartered in California, is a pioneering developer of intelligent solar power optimization and solar electric vehicle (EV) charging technologies. With a steadfast commitment to elevating energy utilization, enhancing returns on energy investments, and facilitating pivotal changes in energy consumption patterns for the impending green electrification revolution, Enteligent is at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation. Its NMax photovoltaic module power optimizers leverage intelligent digital technology to dynamically adapt optimization timings and deliver panel-level monitoring data. This transformative approach results in increased rooftop energy yield, improved energy harvesting efficiency, and heightened system reliability.

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Solar+Storage

Tigo Elevates Solar Experience with Green Glove Support and Academy

Tigo Energy | September 15, 2023

Tigo Energy, Inc., a prominent intelligent solar and energy storage solutions provider, has recently unveiled the Green Glove service program. This program is designed to offer a premium support experience explicitly tailored for first-time installers of Tigo systems, reaffirming Tigo's unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards across the entire solar value chain. It enhances the overall installer experience with customer support interactions when the first installer deploys Tigo products. The Green Glove service program offers a structured process consisting of three formalized support engagements for first-time Tigo residential installers. This program ensures that installers who are new to Tigo products receive exceptional support before, during, and after their first installation. As such, Green Glove support personnel conduct a design review before installation, remain on-call at regional Tigo locations during installation, and conduct post-installation reviews & follow-up discussions to address questions and gather feedback on the installation experience. James JD Dillon, CMO at Tigo Energy, commented, "Building and protecting the reputation of solar as a brand is the responsibility of everyone along the solar value chain, and the investment Tigo makes into installer support and training drives quality across the industry in the name of that responsibility." [Source: Business Wire] When Tigo's top-tier solar and storage technology products are paired with exceptional installation practices in the field, it instills confidence in the industry. Quality is a collaborative effort within the solar sector, and it plays a critical role in sustaining the industry's growth, upon which both Tigo and its installer partners rely, added Dillon. Tigo is further introducing the innovative Tigo Academy to complement the Green Glove program. This modern training and continuing education platform has been designed to equip installers with the necessary skills and knowledge. It offers a comprehensive installer curriculum, aligning high-quality solar and storage products with industry best practices during installation. Tigo Academy stands out with its engaging and interactive content, designed to enhance lesson retention. It provides a user-friendly interface with full offline functionality on all devices. Furthermore, Tigo Academy will soon be available in multiple languages, including Czech, German, Italian, Spanish, and Polish, ensuring accessibility to a broader installer audience. Importantly, completed Tigo Academy learning modules qualify for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP®) Continuing Education Credits (CEC). About Tigo Energy Tigo, founded in 2007, is a globally recognized intelligent solar and energy storage solutions provider. Its innovative solutions are designed to enhance safety, increase energy yield, and reduce operating costs across residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar systems. Tigo's expertise lies in seamlessly integrating its Flex MLPE (Module Level Power Electronics) and solar optimizer technology with advanced cloud-based software capabilities, allowing for precise energy monitoring and control. Notably, the company's MLPE products deliver superior performance, real-time energy monitoring, and essential code-compliant rapid shutdown capabilities at the module level.

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Energy

Cordia Acquiring Three Cutting-Edge Energy Systems from Essential Utilities in Allegheny County

PR Newswire | October 04, 2023

Cordia, a leading provider of safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions, today announced that it has signed a binding agreement to acquire three microgrids and district energy systems in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, from Essential Utilities, Inc. The acquisition is valued at $165 million. The three energy systems included in the agreement are The Pittsburgh International Airport Microgrid, the first of its kind, which allows the airport to operate independent of the electric grid thanks to a 21.25 MW natural gas power plant, making PIT one of the most resilient airports. The district energy system at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) – Wexford Hospital, which provides the 160-bed hospital with all heating, cooling, and primary power needs via steam boilers, hot water boilers, chillers, and a 2.0 MW natural gas generator, along with emergency backup power. The Allegheny County District Energy System, which provides efficient and resilient steam and hot water services to six government buildings including the Allegheny County Courthouse and City-County Building, using seven state-of-the-art steam boilers and one domestic water heater. "We are excited to acquire these three energy systems," said Cordia CEO Earl Collins. They are a perfect fit for our portfolio and will help us to further our mission of providing safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions to our customers. We look forward to working with the Pittsburgh International Airport, Allegheny Health Network, and Allegheny County teams to ensure a smooth transition and continue providing excellent service to their customers. [Source: PR Newswire] The acquisition is a strategic move for Cordia. The acquisition expands the firm's presence in the Pittsburgh region where it currently operates energy systems in Pittsburgh's Uptown and North Shore neighborhoods, and the on-campus energy system for Duquesne University. Cordia's assets have been operating in the region since 1964, and its existing investments in the area allow Cordia to deliver the most efficient solutions to its customers. This acquisition is a testament to Cordia's commitment to growing its regional presence and building on its existing customer base. The three energy systems were developed by Essential subsidiary Peoples, leveraging Southwestern Pennsylvania's abundance of natural gas to deliver safer, more reliable and more resilient energy to some of the region's most critical institutions. All three began operating in 2021. "Our teams at Peoples and Essential should be proud knowing their work to develop these innovative energy systems has made this region better," said Essential Utilities CEO & Chairman Chris Franklin. "Selling these unregulated assets to a skilled operator in Cordia allows us to focus more fully on our core business as a regulated utility." "We are confident our customers will be in good hands with Cordia operating these energy systems," said Peoples President Mike Huwar. "Our team looks forward to providing clean, safe, affordable and reliable natural gas service to all three projects for years to come." "This acquisition is a demonstration to Cordia's commitment to providing innovative energy solutions to our customers and growth in the Pittsburgh area," said Collins. "We are proud to be a part of this community and continue to work with our partners to build a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Pittsburgh." The transaction is subject to various closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in late 2023 or early 2024. About Cordia Cordia is a leading provider of safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, Cordia serves over 700 customers with heating, cooling, and electricity throughout the U.S. Cordia is committed to driving change toward a more resilient, sustainable energy future and empowering people and communities to reach their full potential. Learn more at www.cordiaenergy.com. About Essential Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

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